Author's Note: And you thoughtI died! Well, this is the chapter you've all been waiting for...and oh, many of you asked if she got raped or not as it was a little confusing. Well, you see, I really made it confusing...because you will find out what will happen in this chapter..Muwahahahaha!!!
Disclaimers Applied!
This chapter had been inspired by Julie Garwood's books. Credit also goes to "Wild Honey" for inspiring one scene.
Thanks for the reviews:
animefreak03, Elementalmoon, deity of death1, Kitsune Kit, junyortrakr, Psychogirly, HereTheParty a.k.a. - JesusIsMYHERO, KenshinGal128, BitterStalker, Dancing Doll, heartluv, tigerw114, kanamey, Melanie-chan, Birth stained Scarlet, i won't tell, Crescent Venus, annetheatre, Curtis Zidane Ziraa, Joide's KB4ever, Raye-sama, baka-onna2003, Dark Paine, firelavalily, FallenStardust, lite-clouds, mai, Caitlin Collins, Donna Kitsune, Madam Spooky, Koishii-san, kanamey, GreenTea Mage, Firefox, Mikoshoujo lady-anheleta-of-darkness, Nazz2.0, forever-sweet1
Pandora Kattalikis - ,I would like to help in anyway I can, feel free to email me anytime
Jordan's Girl - Reilan is my baby, I actually ONLY made him up...and later on, halfway through the fic, I saw Fruits Basket and Shigure Sohma reminds me so much of Reilan, it was really funny. I can picture him like that
Kitsune-0503 - actually it was supposed to be cut. The effect I want to make is that her thoughts were cut because she leaped to her husband, all thoughts of her stopping, lol
Special Thanks to those people who fully support Kuronue-Yukina pairing...its something I just made up and decided in the middle of the book. It was supposed to be Reilan-Yukina, but since Reilan is my baby, he's mine, lol. Actually, I didn't know it would hit, I originally made it just as a side story, so as not to focus solely on the main characters, but it seemed to be doing great on its own. Kuronue-Yukina is almost impossible as Kuronue died even before Kurama met Hiei, still, I'm glad for the readers' acceptance.
STOLEN HEARTS
Chapter 19: The Calm After The Storm
He burst the door open and bumped straight to Reilan. It seemed he was blocking his way because he let Yukina pass through and not him.
"Get out of my way," he said in a deadly but calm tone, Reilan inwardly cringed. It would have been better if the kitsune was shouting and raging than this – when he was being silent and calm, he knew the anger really ran through his veins.
"Kitsune –"
"I wouldn't hesitate tearing you limb to limb, Reilan. Get out of my way," he said in that same tone.
"You should control your anger first –"
"Who are you to tell me what to do?" he bellowed, his golden eyes flashing dangerously.
"You're going to scare her, you idiot!" Reilan shouted in turn, hoping to knock some sense in him. "After everything she'd been through, the last thing she needed was to see you like you would kill the first person you see."
Kurama was about to retaliate, then, as if what Reilan said sunk through his brain, changed his mind, glumly sat on the couch, grabbed one of his wife's pink pillows and trembled violently, trying to control his tears.
"Tell me where you placed the bastard's body," he said lowly, his head buried in the pillow.
"We fed it to the animals," Reilan said as he sat on the couch across his friend, "the remaining soldiers were killed. Will you declare another war on what was left of their estate?"
At that, Kurama looked at him, "I don't want to cause any more problems with my wife. Didn't Mukuro want to colonize Yomi's estate? Give her the go signal. We won't interfere anymore," he said.
Reilan nodded. It had been quite some time since Mukuro's estate declared their intention of colonizing Yomi's estate. But since Yomi was Kurama's ally, the kitsune had declared expressly that if she dared go through with the plan, they would both declare war on her estate. Needless to say, she had abandoned the plan.
"Hn. Some ally we got, huh?" Reilan said sarcastically and Kurama smiled bitterly.
Silence followed. Neither of them voicing their fears and what they really think and feel about what happened to Botan.
"Milord?"
Both youkai looked up to see Yukina at the bottom of the stairs. "You can see oneesan now."
He didn't need to be told twice because he sprinted towards the stairs, took two steps at a time, raced passed the two guards outside their room and burst inside – the two of them purposely didn't follow to respect his privacy.
He frantically scanned the room and what he saw made him stop in his tracks.
Nothing could ever prepare him for this. His imagination was far too gentle than what lies before him. His gentle little wife was badly beaten; it was a miracle she didn't die. One of her arms was bandaged and the side of her face was swollen, as if she'd been hit. Part of her arms that weren't covered with bandage turned into an ugly shade of purple, probably where the bastard grabbed her roughly, and there were claw marks almost everywhere.
She looked at him and opened her arms wide, reaching out to him.
He swallowed a big lump in his throat, and as he looked at her, walked towards her, unaware that his eyes looked so haunted, and because she was sitting on the couch, he had to kneel to hug her.
The minute she touched him, for the first time since he could remember, he cried. It was ironic; shouldn't he be the one comforting her?
He pulled back slightly and cupped her cheeks then kissed her forehead gently. "I'm so sorry."
"I'm sorry," he repeated again and again but for the life of her, she could not understand what he was sorry for. She was the one who needed to apologize, not him. It was all her fault from the start.
But she continued to only hold him, not saying anything, for she could not trust her voice just yet. Just hearing her strong and mighty husband sob and seeing him trying to control his tears but failing was enough to make her heart ache with love.
Minutes passed by as she stroked his broad back and he eventually calmed down, his eyes quickly drying. Their position was rather awkward, and Kurama, realizing it only when his knees and back began to get stiff, picked her up and sat on the couch before settling her on his lap.
She sighed contentedly as she pressed herself closer to his warm body. "I have something to tell you, husband."
"You're supposed to be resting and not straining yourself," he chastised as he put his arms around her, but she shook her head.
Even in her condition, she still continued to defy his orders. "I didn't mean to kill him, husband."
"I know you didn't love," he said softly.
She continued to blab on as if she hadn't heard anything. "Well, maybe I did. But that's because I was so afraid and he was really strong. I tried to cut him so he would let me go. But I'm not sorry I killed him, are you?"
"No."
"What would you have done?"
He didn't answer the question. Truthfully, he didn't know what he would do to the bastard had he been alive now. It pained him to no end that while he was killing the Raizens in the battlefield because of the problem he himself had created, his wife was left there alone to fight off his predators he didn't even know exists.
"Ne, husband?" she nudged, clearly wanting an answer.
He sighed. She was such a stubborn witch. "I would have killed him for you."
She was confused by his answer. "Will there be another war now that I've killed Yomi?" she asked instead.
Kurama sighed again. His wife shouldn't really think about those things. It was his problems, not hers. "No, there wouldn't be another war," he said and noticed a vial on the bedside table.
He took it. "What's this?" he asked, opened the vial, and sniffed it. He knew in an instant that it was something to make her sleep.
"Nothing," she said, easily dismissing her husband's question. "Ne, how come there wouldn't be a war?"
Kurama, instead of answering, handed the vial to her. "Drink this."
"Husband –"
"Drink this first and I'll answer your question," he interrupted her.
Botan pouted then took the vial and swallowed it in one gulp. She frowned at the bitter taste then glared at her husband when she saw him smiling.
He was making fun of her, darn it!
"Now answer me," she demanded as she leaned her forehead on his. The medicine was so strong; she knew she would be asleep in five minutes.
"They've all been taken care of, love," Kurama said softly as he touched his nose to hers.
"That's nice," she said, not really understanding what he meant. But if it was already taken care of in any way, then it would be better.
"I wouldn't be able to touch you for awhile, huh?" he whispered softly, his tone full of regret and kissed her nose as his hold on her tightened.
"Why?"
"Well, if I touch you so soon, you might just remember what that bastard did to you," he whispered just as he showered her face with small kisses.
Botan suddenly pulled back – much to his dismay. "No, no, he didn't do anything to me. He fell before he could actually…anyway, there's no way," she paused, then bit her lower lip, colors rushing to her face, "Um, that your touch could frighten me, you know."
He tried to help it, but of course, he failed, because the smirk he tried hard not to appear on his face still appeared. He was such a vain kitsune; he can't help but think glumly, they were into a deep conversation and he can feel his ego bursting from that compliment. "Thank you," he tried to say as modestly as possible, which wasn't much, then to change the topic, "But I think you should sleep now."
But Botan shook her head. "I want to spend more time with you. It's rare when we're like this, just the two of us, together."
Kurama frowned, guilt slowly eating him. He knew he hadn't spent a good amount of time with her. "We'll fix that once you regain your health and you've fully recovered," he said and lifted her then walked towards the bed to lay her down.
"But husband –"
"That's a promise, wife," he said as he covered her with quilt up to her chin and kissed her forehead.
She gave him a sleepy smile. "Will you be here when I wake up?"
Kurama nodded. "I'll be the first person you'll see."
"For crying out loud, Olic, I told you not to engage in any strenuous activities while your wounds haven't fully healed yet," Yukina chastised him as she began to stitch Olic's side for the third time this week.
"But, milady," Olic complained, "I'm sleeping in Naomi's chambers now, I really can't help touching her."
She should have blushed at the sexual implication, instead, she frowned. "That's enough, Olic," Yukina said and looked at him sternly. "If you come back tomorrow to ask me to re-stitch your blasted wound, I'm going to ban you from Naomi's room for a month, got it?"
She looked so serious that Olic shuddered, "Hai, milady."
"Good. Now, off you go," she said as she rubbed her neck, obviously already tired and worn out, not really noticing that Olic scampered away before she can change her mind and ban him from the maidservant starting that minute. Because the war had just finished, her patients had tripled due to the wounded soldiers needing medical attention. "Next please," she yelled.
Kuronue sauntered inside with a lazy smile on his lips.
"Oh, it's you," she greeted him nonchalantly. "And what do you need me for?"
Yeah, after she tended Kuronue's serious wound, stealing him from death's hands, she had outgrown being shy and tongue-tied in front of him. Maybe because she had seem him more as a man than as her lord. But that doesn't mean that her attraction to him lessened.
Actually, since she became a full-pledged healer, she had ceased to be a shy girl, maybe it has something to do with her profession since it had built her self-confidence. Now, it was funny to watch her patients, mostly soldiers, cowering in fear when she glares at them for not following her instruction in medication.
"I have one question to ask you," he said as he stepped towards her.
She didn't seem to notice. "And what is that?"
Kuronue grinned and went for the kill. "How would you like to get married with me?"
Yukina looked stunned. Did she really hear what she thought she heard? "What?"
Kuronue took two steps toward her and placed his hands on the table, effectively trapping her in between. "You and I. Would you like to get married?"
Maybe it was all the stress of taking care of too many patients at a time, or her worry about her sister's condition. It could also be the surprise from his question or the fact that he was standing entirely too close for her comfort. Because there must be something that triggered it.
She passed out.
"Here," Reilan said from behind him and handed him a cup of tea.
"This is not the time to drink that," Kurama said stiffly, his back straightening a little, ignoring the cup.
"It will help you calm down, kitsune," he said and almost shoved the cup on his face.
Kurama shrugged and accepted the cup, emptying the content with one long gulp. He handed the cup back to Reilan, who in turn, put it on the table.
"It's been three days, Rei," Kurama said, his shoulders slumping a little, "Why won't she wake up?"
Reilan patted his shoulders and sat on the edge of their bed to face his friend. "You're acting as if you don't know anything about healing. That potion would really make her sleep for three days, you know."
"I know," he mumbled, his shoulders slumping a little more.
"She wouldn't like it if you don't stop blaming yourself," Reilan muttered and looked at her sleeping form fondly.
Kurama sighed, stood up and began pacing. "I know that. But I can't help think, that if I hadn't been that cruel to her…if we hadn't had that stupid argument… dammit!" he roared in anguish, and punched the wall.
Reilan looked away. Though they had been friends since childhood, he knew he was already invading the kitsune's privacy.
He also understood what the kitsune was going through right now. He was thinking that hadn't they had that argument, had they been talking to each other, then, she could have told him what was happening.
Instead, he let his pride rule everything, and now, she was lying unconscious, violated by someone he thought was an ally.
He glanced at the kitsune and was relieved to find out that he had calmed down. "You know what?"
A few seconds passed by before Kurama looked at him, "What?"
"You should start practicing."
Kurama looked at him in confusion. "Practicing what?"
Reilan smiled at him broadly. "Why, saying 'I love you' of you," he said.
Kurama looked stunned. "What? I'm not…it's not – what…"
"Maa, maa, kitsune. Just admit it, will you. It'll be easier for both of you," he said and tapped his shoulders.
Knock. Knock.
"Come in," Reilan said since Kurama was still too stunned to react.
The door opened and Olic entered timidly. This was the first time he'd been in his lord's chambers.
"What is it?"
"Lady Mukuro is here," he said.
The two lord stood up suddenly. "Why?"
"Err," Olic began and cleared his throat, "Um, she was here to express her gratitude for letting them take over Yomi's estate. She also wanted to give you the report on what has happened."
Kurama nodded. "So, Yomi's clan is no more?"
"Hai, milord."
"That's good. Reilan, meet her. Tell her I have important matters to attend to."
Reilan nodded and was about to go out of the room already when Olic cleared his throat, "Um, milord?"
"What?"
"Lady Mukuro specifically told me she wanted to meet with you. She said it won't be a very long meeting so you can surely spend a few minutes with her. She won't be denied, milord."
Kurama blinked. "But –"
"Just get it over with, kitsune, she won't wake up for a couple more hours, you know," Reilan said, a hint of impatience in his voice.
Kurama sighed and glanced at his wife's sleeping form. "Alright. Lead the way, Olic."
"What do you mean you don't know where she is?" he bellowed loudly, ears twitching violently from irritation.
Naomi whimpered in return and looked at the livid youko in front of her. His golden eyes made her shiver as she stepped backward in fear.
"Calm down, kitsune," Reilan said that Kurama turned his angry glare at him.
"You want me to calm down? My wife is missing for what seemed to be the third time since I met her, not to mention the fact that a few hours ago, when I left her, she was lying here unconscious, recovering from her injury. Tell me to calm down, indeed!" he said, daring his friend to speak.
Reilan only massaged his temple, acting nonchalant, that made Kurama even more annoyed. "All, I'm saying is that, Naomi is a woman. Shouldn't you treat her more gently?"
Kurama suddenly stilled and eventually felt ashamed. Reilan was right, he shouldn't have treated her so harshly. He took a deep breath to calm his nerves then turned to Olic.
He ignored the way his guard stiffened and the way his eyes tried to hide the anger he felt towards him – but failing miserably. "I shouldn't have shouted at her like that. Take your woman and soothe her feelings."
Olic and Naomi looked surprised, and when he had gathered his senses, he bowed, "Hai, milord."
When the two was already out of sight, Kurama noticed that Reilan was smirking at him. "Don't start with me, Rei," he warned.
"You seemed overly concerned and worked up for someone not in love, eh?" he teased, ignoring his warning, as he crossed his arms in front of his chest in a lazy manner.
"Look," Kurama looked at him in annoyance, "I'm just concerned that the stupid woman would get into trouble again."
"Really?" he asked in that mocking tone again.
"What are you trying to say, anyway?" Kurama snapped, his ears starting twitching.
"Nothing," Reilan said and smiled mockingly.
"Look, I'm not in love with her. I'm just concerned that if she die, I would –" he stopped talking when he realized what he was about to say.
"Yes, kitsune? If she die, you would what?" Reilan continued to prod.
What would happen to me if she dies? Will I be able to exist still?
Yeah, even if the woman brought so much trouble to him, with every trouble she got into, having to summon him to get her out of it, she wormed her way into his cold heart and made a place in it.
It was quite scary and wonderful, in fact. Having to be dependent on her to live while at the same time, she depended on him for the same reason – not to mention she depended on him to get her out of sticky situations she always manage to get herself into.
"You're right, Reilan," Kurama said a little glumly, putting his hand on the top of his head when he realized what an ass he'd been to his wife – refusing her love and all – when he was feeling the same.
"So, you're going to tell her?" Reilan asked and Kurama was about to answer when he cut his friend. "Because I think I know the reason why she's gone."
Kurama's heartbeat quickened. "What is it?"
"Well, you told me you promised her you'll be the first face she'll see when she wakes up," Reilan said and smirked. "Do you realize that you've broken your promise to her for the first time?"
Author's Note: OH…another chapter done. So there, I didn't allow Yomi to actually rape her, he died before he could have done so. And well, Botan didn't seem to act as though something happened, ne? But since her thoughts are more preoccupied with what her husband will say when he found out rather than what happened to her, she didn't go to a state of shock afterwards. Want another chapter, well, you all know what to do to please me (grins)...just review!!!
PS: I made Yukina pass out on Kuronue. Kuronue will be really pissed at poor little me...I better hide before he can see me
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